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Fundraising Success with
Transparency, Trust, & Innovation

Individual Donations

Small, one-time or recurring, donations made by an individual or household.

Fundraising Events

Consists of selling event tickets and soliciting donations at events.

Major Giving

Large, one-time or recurring, donations made by an individual or household.

Non-Cash Donations

Donations consisting of goods, services, or time rather than cash.

Planned Giving

Includes charitable trusts, annuities, and tools that provide income to donors.

Charitable Bequests

Funds donated through a will or a documented estate plan.

Corporate Giving

Social and philanthropic initiatives launched by a company; donating to support and advocate for our joint mission.

Wealth Management

Income from interest payments, dividends, capital gains collected upon the sale of securities or other assets.

Community Investments

Learn how the Foundation invests in Spokane-based startup companies.

How We Do It

Get To Know The Stewards Of Our Financial Portfolio

Financial Steward. I bring extensive experience in accounting, financial leadership, strategic planning, and organizational governance to help Believe in Me manage its resources responsibly.

Treasurer

Michell Johnson, II

Affiliations: 

  • Chief Financial Officer, Fairmount Memorial Association

  • Former Finance Director, CRH Americas

  • Treasurer and Member, Board of Directors, Omega of Theta Xi Association

Committees:

Finance Committee Chair

Executive Governance Committee Treasurer

Education and Credentials:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, Washington State University College of Business and Economics

  • Graduate, Washington State University Honors College

  • Chartered Global Management Accountant, AICPA

  • Certified Public Accountant, Washington State Board of Accountancy

  • Member, Theta Xi Fraternity

  • Member, Order of Omega

  • Member, National Society of Collegiate Scholars

Diplomatic Liaison. I like to bring people together and help find common benefits to maximize value for the participants. And in so doing over the span of time and deals, add just a bit to the global good.

Board Member

Dan Menser

Affiliations:

  • Chairman, Alliance of Angels

  • General Counsel, Teal Communications, Inc.

  • Member of the Board of Advisors, Pollen System Corporation & Everyvine Corporation

Committee Positions:

  • Member, Finance, Property Management, and Investments Committee

Education / Awards:

  • J.D. Program - Cum Laude, Seattle University School of Law

  • B.A. Finance - Cum Laude, Washington State University

Legal Eagle. I serve as the Vice Chair of the Advisory Board of the Center for Entrepreneurship at Eastern Washington University and the Alumni Advisory Board for the Delta Iota Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity at Washington State University.

Board Member

Keith Trefry

Affiliations:

  • Partner, Paine Hamblen LLP

  • Vice Chair of the Advisory Board of the Center for Entrepreneurship, Eastern Washington University

  • Alumni Advisory Board for the Delta Iota Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Washington State University.

Committee Positions:

  • Member, Board of Directors since August 2022

  • Member, Finance, Property Management, and Investments Committee

Education:

  • B.A. Pre-Law, Cum Laude, Washington State University

  • JD Law, Cum Laude, Gonzaga University School of Law

An Insider's Look Behind the Scenes

We believe that we must innovate to ensure the ongoing mission of Believe in Me (the Foundation) and its programs. Earning your trust with transparency and consistency is the key to our strategy for long-term success.

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We rely upon the joint efforts of a team of finance and business professionals that comprise our Finance, Investments, and Property Management Committee. We consistently strive for new and different ways to stretch the value of every donation. Our innovative team has developed a diversified portfolio to ensure the sustainability of our mission for generations to come.

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